As opioid crisis grows, some doctors worry codeine is too readily available in Canada

Canadian physicians got a stern warning and a sharp dose of reality Tuesday from some of their B.C. colleagues and those closely watching the overdose crisis unfold across Canada.

At a pro-harm reduction panel at the Canadian Medical Association’s annual meeting, doctors told stories from first-hand experience and warned there are no signs the epidemic is slowing down. Some openly mused about whether the lobby group should push to narrow access to the opioid painkiller codeine.

Dr. Christy Sutherland is medical director of the Portland Hotel Society and works in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side – the epicentre of Canada’s current